In celebration of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the Blessing of the Animals will be held on the lawn of St. Louis Church in Portland on Saturday, October 5.

In celebration of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Christopher Parish will hold a blessing of the animals prayer service at St. Christopher Church, 15 Central Avenue on Peaks Island.

The Diocese of Portland’s Office of the Tribunal will hold a presentation on annulments at St. Catherine of Sienna Church on Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. There will be a “question and answer” period, as well as an opportunity to speak privately to a canonist at the gatherings.

St. John Paul II Parish will hold the Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 5, at 10 a.m. outside St. Bartholomew Church in Cape Elizabeth.

Christ the Divine Mercy Parish will hold the Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 5, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter Church, 58 Cedar Street in East Millinocket. The service will be held rain or shine. All pets must be leashed or in crates.

The annual African Festival, a celebration of the beauty of African culture and community, will be held at the Guild Hall of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located on 307 Congress Street in Portland, on Saturday, August 23, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The festival will be preceded by a Mass at the Cathedral at 4 p.m.